10 Witt-Birn football players honored for CWC-Large play

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School football team had 10 players earn spots on Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division teams after strong fall seasons.

Six of the players recognized earned double honors after Witt-Birn went 5-2 in conference play (officially 6-1 after a forfeit win over Amherst).

Senior David Gauderman earned the highest honor of the Chargers after being tabbed the Co-Offensive Player of the Year. He was honored for his play as a running back.

Gauderman also made the first team as a linebacker on defense.

The senior rushed for 1,168 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven conference games. Gauderman also caught 11 passes for 152 yards and three more scores.

Defensively, Gauderman finished with a team-leading 77 total tackles, with 19 going for losses. He also had 6½ sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

“It means a lot, I think I came a long way throughout my high school football career,” said Gauderman. “From playing o-line and d-line to being first team running back and first team linebacker just puts a smile on my face, seeing how far I’ve come over the last four years means a lot to me. All thanks to my coaches and teammates for putting me in the best position to succeed.”

Junior Charlie Nowinsky was also a double first team honoree, making it for his work on the offensive and defensive lines.

On defense, Nowinsky tallied 34 total tackles, with nine going for losses, and a pair of sacks.

“It means a great deal to me to be named first team all-conference for both offensive line and defensive line,” said Nowinsky. “Going into the season it was one of my personal goals to receive all-conference honors. My-all conference recognition, along with my all-regional honors for both sides of the ball, raises the bar for me next season and motivates me to keep working hard in the weight room and on the field.”

Juniors Casey Kielman and Nathan Waupekenay also earned spots on the first team.

Kielman made the first team as a defensive back, while also picking up an honorable mention nod for his play as a receiver.

Kielman finished with 12 total tackles in conference play. He picked off three passes and recovered one fumble.

As a receiver, Kielman caught 10 passes for 260 yards and three scores.

Waupekenay was a first teamer as a kicker, and made the honorable mention list as a quarterback.

The junior threw for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 427 yards and two scores.

Senior Max Fraaza earned two second team honors — which he called a surprise — for his play on the offensive and defensive lines.

Fraaza finished with 45 total tackles, with 11 going for losses, in CWC-Large play. He also tallied five sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Junior Coye Brillowski landed on the second team for his play as a defensive lineman.

Brillowski finished with 34 total tackles, eight of which went for losses. He also recovered a fumble and had one sack.

Senior Chris Crews was a second teamer as a linebacker.

Crews was second on the team with 65 total tackles. He also posted three sacks and eight tackles for losses while recovering a fumble.

Senior Dylan Resch and juniors Braeden Groshek and Marshall Fraaza were all honorable mentions for Witt-Birn.

Resch made the list as a defensive back. He finished CWC-Large play with 25 total tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Groshek was recognized as a linebacker. He registered 28 total tackles and an interception in conference play.

Fraaza was on the honorable mention list as a linebacker and wide receiver. On offense he rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while hauling in 18 passes for 326 yards and a team-leading five scores. Defensively, the junior had 33 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three tackles for losses.

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